by Pamela Labud
“I was nearly killed.” He could feel the burn marks on his arm and chest healing even as he spoke.”
“Not like it’s the first time. Don’t be so dramatic about it.”
They both heard a load moan from across the room.
“Right. How’s the bounty hunter doing?”
Holly appeared beside him. “He’s no worse for the wear, I think.”
“So, you’re not here in a professional capacity, right?” Matty asked. “I mean, I don’t like the guy, but I hate to see him meet his end right like this.”
“No, she’s here in a magical capacity—as in someone who can protect us if he goes insane and starts throwing electricity around again.”
“That’s good.”
“Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” Hawke growled from the other side of the room. “You can let me up now,” he added.
“No way,” Matty yelled out. He turned to Holly as she dabbed at a cut on his forehead. “You’re not cutting him loose, are you?”
She sighed. “Not at the moment, but I’m not law enforcement. I can’t restrain him for very long. I don’t have jurisdiction here. Whatever you two have going on, you need to resolve it fast. Or, we’ll be calling the sheriff.”
“Right.” Struggling to sit up, Matty looked over at Hawke. He was seated in the chaise, feet up, head back. Breathing like a freight train, too. It was clear he was straining against the magic that held him.
Just then the doorbell rang, and a few seconds later, a worried Fiona entered the parlor.
“What in blazes went on here?”
The sight of her took Matty’s breath from his chest. “Hi, Honey,” he said a few gulps of air later. He meant to jump to his feet, but the room started spinning around him. Suddenly, Max was beside him, helping him to the sofa.
“I came to collect my bounty,” Hawke ground out. “He refused.”
Fiona advanced at him. “So, you decided to do what? Pulverize him?”
Something was different about her, but Matty couldn’t quite pin it down. First, she wasn’t wearing her usual tank top and jeans. She had a stylish pink blouse, and a beige faux leather pair of capris. Her nails were a pale pink as well, and her hair was cut slightly different than usual. She practically glowed.
“You look amazing,” he said.
She spun on him. “Really? You were nearly killed and that’s all you have to say?”
He shook his head. “Granted, I’m not at my best, but I’m really trying.” That’s when it all came crashing down on him. He’d been hung over, smashed with a bolt of magic and now he was losing the woman he loved once and for all.
“Oh, Matty,” she sobbed.
Before he knew what was happening, she was in his arms, and he was holding her as if he might lose her again at any moment.
“It’s okay, Fi. I promise. It’s okay.”
He could have stayed in her arms forever, but reality kicked in and here he was, in his brother’s parlor,
“Matty,” Max said behind him.
Pushing Fiona away, he took a breath. “Right. I guess it’s time for me to man up, eh?”
“Please,” Max said. “Tell her what you told us.”
“Right. It seems, a few months back, I signed a little contract with the Society of Druids. I didn’t remember it until just before laser-boy got here and tried to burn me, but the gist of it is. I signed up with the Druid Legion of Fighters.”
“You did what?”
“I don’t know how it happened. I swore after Napoleon I wasn’t ever going to be a soldier again. I guess I was more upset about losing you than I thought. Anyway, when I didn’t show up for my transport, they took a bounty out on me, and the rest is history.” He paused. “Or it will be if their dimension lines up with ours.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What I should have done from the beginning, go meet my responsibility.”
“Give yourself up? Just like that?” Fiona asked. “Whoever this is might kill you.”
“I know that.”
“Over and over.”
“I know that, too.”
“Don’t do it.” She said at last and it literally broke Matty’s heart to hear it.
“I don’t want to. That’s for sure. But, if I don’t we’ll never be free of this.”
“We?”
He hadn’t even realized he’d said it. “Yes. We. I know I’m a real crapload of problems for you. I’ve not been good at this at all, but I do want to be with you, Fi. More than anything.”
She nodded. “Then, we need to figure this out. Without sacrificing you, us, in the process.”
Matty couldn’t believe his ears. She was ready to stick it out with him, no matter what.
It wasn’t until he heard Hawke grimace across the room. “It’s not going to help, you know. You can’t hold me captive and expect to get away with this.”
“He’s right,” Holly said. “Any longer and it’ll won’t look like self-defense.”
“Let him go,” Matty said at last. Still looking at Fiona. “It’s the right thing to do. Whatever I’ve done, I need to face it.”
Those would have been the hardest words he’d ever said—because in all his life, Matty had made it his policy to never claim liability for anything—until now.
Max rubbed his chin. “What we need is more time. Once our guest here takes you in, we won’t be able to help you out.”
“I agree,” Holly said. “I think I know a way to at least put the Druids off for a time. Then, if we can figure out what you’ve done, perhaps we can convince them to reverse their decision.”
Fiona squeezed Matty’s hand. “Do you think this is possible? That we could fix this?”
“I don’t know,” Matty said. “I’m no angel. If I signed those papers…”
Fiona leaned forward. “We have to try, Matty.”
Matty nodded. “What harm could it do?” He turned to Holly. “Well then. That’s decided. What’s your plan, Reaper Girl?”
Holly smiled. “It’s easy. Get married.”
Chapter Twelve
Like most women, since her childhood, Fiona had dreamed of her wedding day. Though, the feminist side of her would clearly deny it, since she was old enough to know what a bride and groom were, she’d ached to find her true love and one day walk down the aisle.
Of course, she’d gone through her wild days, when at college, she wanted to prove herself. She’d earned her degree in business, had taken over the family’s eatery and has since managed to build up considerable savings. She was good with money. She was better with people. She always managed to keep her customers happy and garner big tips for her employees.
Jack Knife—no lie, that was his name—wasn’t a world renown chef, but he could come up with some really delicious concoctions. The same for her wait staff, two wood elves, Dolly and Finch, were top notch servers, who went out of their way to make sure their customers were well taken care of. Spending their off time at Underworld’s only gambling establishment “Bad Habits,” both were always on time and working for extra funds to support their gaming needs.
Knowing full well that she’d never find a decent guy in Underworld City, she’d ventured to Nocturne Falls with friends on more than one occasion. Then, there was the night she’d first seen Matty. Total hotness in a leather jacket, he was devilishly handsome and a wrapped in attitude. His bad boy persona had grabbed hold of her needy wolf girl, and before she knew it they were so into each other.
It would have been bliss, except for those years after when they couldn’t quite make it work. In short, Fiona blamed herself. Not for Matty’s bad behavior—nope, those missed dates, long months away from each other and him stepping out were definitely not her fault.
Her own weak will that always took him back after their explosive break-ups—that was all on Fiona. Heaven help her, she couldn’t quit him. He was like a drug to her and she couldn�
��t get him out of her system.
And yet, when Holly made her declaration, that they should ‘get married,’ panic hit her bloodstream like a bolt of lightning.
“That’s it?” Matty said, his mouth open.
Fiona swallowed. “Just how does that work, exactly?”
Holly crossed her arms. “Druids are creatures of ritual. They follow so many rituals it’ll make your head spin. Have you ever had dinner with them? I have.” She turned to Max. “Remember, I told you one of my foster sisters dated that guy…”
Max held up his hand. “Oh, yes. No need to go into the whole story, love.”
“Right.” She turned back to Fiona and Matty. “Anyway, they don’t eat breakfast without a ceremony. So, if you two announce your engagement that will give us time to prepare.”
“How long?” Matty asked.
“Wait, you’re not seriously considering this?”
“Why not? You know we’re meant to be together.”
“I know, but marriage is…” Fiona suddenly found herself without enough air in her lungs to continue.
“A huge commitment,” came Hawke’s voice from the other side of the room. “Both of us know how good your Immortal boyfriend is good at handling those.”
Max spun on him. “And who asked you?”
“Nobody. I’m just saying. I’ve only known them a few days, but your brother, is really good at breaking his girlfriend’s heart. Stomps all over it on a regular basis, to be exact.”
“Hey,” Matty said. He turned to Fiona. “I don’t want you to even consider this, unless it’s something you really want.”
There it was. Fiona looked from one face to another, Holly, Max, Hawke, and then Matty. Her throat suddenly went dry and her heart was beating nine-hundred beats a minute.
“It isn’t that I don’t want to marry you,” she said carefully, “I just want to make sure it’s the right time.”
“No time better than to save your boyfriend from being consigned to an eternity of fire and torture,” Max blurted out.
“Max!” Holly gave him a sharp elbow to the side. “It’s Fiona’s decision, and she has a point.”
“It’s his life, too. Not to put too fine a point on it, but they’ve been dancing around this relationship for decades. It’s time to put up or shut up.”
“Max,” Fiona said, “You’re right. It’s just a stupid ceremony. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. We can just get a divorce later.” She looked back at Matty. “Right?”
Matty opened his mouth, but no words came out, and he wore the expression of a wounded dear that had just gobbled up some fine apples left by the hunter only to be shot, dressed and put on display later.
“Sure, Fi,” he said at last.
Now, she’d done it. She’d hurt him badly and there was nothing she could do to fix it.
“Right,” Matty changed back to his ever cheerful, optimistic even in the worst of circumstances face. “Then, it looks like we have a wedding to prepare for.”
An uncomfortably heavy silence blanketed the room. Holly and Max exchanged a knowing glance, and even Fiona felt her anxiety rise while her disappointment settled somewhere under the floor.
“Matty,” Max started. “You have to ask a girl before you announce a wedding.”
“Really? I thought that was already settled?”
Ouch! Fiona blinked. “You just assumed…well, that’s okay.”
“No, it’s definitely not, ‘okay,’ Fiona.” Holly stamped her foot. “You get on your knees and ask this woman to marry you.” She said pointing to the floor. “So, help me, you’d better mean it.”
Max covered his mouth, obviously delighted that his wife took his twin to task. He added. “You’d better do it brother. I’ve seen her melt the whiskers off of a gnat with that expression.”
Holly sent him a sharp look, but then smiled and crossed her arms.
“Right,” Matty cleared his throat and immediately went into ‘marriage proposal’ kneel. “Here goes.”
Surprising everyone, he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled a small, dark blue velvet box out of it and flipping it open, turned to Fiona.
Staring at the box’s contents, Fiona found herself once again without words for a few seconds. “How long have you had this?”
Matty shrugged. “A while,” leaning in closer, he lowered his voice to a whisper. “Look, if you think this is a bad idea, don’t worry about it. I’m sure I can think of something…”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. The image of Matty being punished because she was too anxious to do this was just too much for her to consider.
“Yes,” she said, in a voice so loud she was sure people back in Underworld would be able to hear her. “Yes, I will marry you.”
A cheer went around the room, well almost around it. Hawke groaned, and Fiona was pretty sure, he cursed.
None of that mattered. In her mind, she’d taken care of at least one problem for the present, at least.
“Well,” Max said suddenly beside her. “Don’t you think you should kiss your bride?”
“Fiancée, Max. They’re not married yet.”
#
Matty’s mind reeled.
Had he really done it? Had he actually asked Fiona to marry him? And, she’d accepted?
“Way to go, Matty, my boy. So very proud of you,” Max said, clapping him on the back way too hard.
“Thanks, brah. I appreciate it.”
“It’s a huge mistake,” Hawke said beside them.
Once Fiona had accepted, Holly had released him from her restraint spell, gathered Fiona and announced they must get an appointment with a wedding planner as soon as possible.
“We haven’t even set a date,” Matty muttered as they left the room.
Max grinned. “Don’t worry, mate. Trust me, Holly’s got this. She’s like General Patton marching into battle with this stuff. Having been a soldier many times in my past, I have to say, I’ve never seen anything like her.”
“Man,” Matty said, the weight of everything hitting him fully. “What have I done?”
“The right thing, for once.” Max walked to the liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. “Time to celebrate.”
“Give me a double,” Hawke said. “I’m going to need it when I tell Remmington what just transpired.”
“That old gorilla,” Max said. “Serves him right. Buying a bounty on my brother. Trust me, the Druids will be all over that.”
“Yeah, to say nothing of what he’ll do to me.”
Max handed him a glass and they both finished the drink in a single shot.
“So,” Matty asked. “Why don’t you just quit? Surely, a wolf-warlock with a pedigree like yours, you can get work anywhere? Even here in Nocturne Falls, perhaps.”
Hawke sent them both a warning expression. “That’s none of your business.”
“Isn’t it?” Matty asked. “You’re working for that gangster doesn’t make sense.”
“Really? And why do you say that?”
“Because you’re different,” Max said. He motioned for them to have a seat and grabbed the bottle as well. “Tell us. Who knows, we might be able to help you.”
The other man looked at his empty glass but said nothing.
“Well,” Matty started. “Speak for yourself, brother. I’ve got bigger monsters to outrun.”
Hawke scoffed. “Yes, that’s you, all right. Matthew Hyland. Always thinking of his own hide.” He shot him a glance over the rim of his glass. “Did you even consider what this could mean for Fiona?”
Reality dawned on Matty. “Now, I see it. You do have a thing for her, do you?”
“Who wouldn’t? She’s amazing. She certainly doesn’t deserve a jerk like you, now does she?”
“He’s right you know,” Max said as he refilled all of their glasses.
“That she doesn’t deserve me? That’s old news.”
/> “Well, that, and the fact that she is amazing. If you recall, the first time you brought her to the funeral home and introduced her, I told you so.”
Matty swallowed his whiskey and sat the glass down. It didn’t really help his hangover, in fact the booze was now churning in his stomach like a waterspout. “I remember.”
“Then, you should do the right thing and let her go.” Hawke slammed his own glass down. “Turn yourself in and for once in your miserable life, be a man. Don’t put her through anything more.”
Ordinarily, Hawke’s words wouldn’t bother him. Today, after seeing the hesitation in Fiona’s eyes, well, that had peeled off a level of protection around his heart. Add to it, that he happened to agree with the bounty hunter, pretty much stabbed all the way to the bone.
“Hey,” Max said. “That’s my brother you’re insulting.”
Hawke didn’t let the funeral director get one up on him. “And you, Mr. Perfect Brother. Didn’t you think once while you were helping him, cleaning up his messes, that you have a hand in this as well? You enabled him.”
Max blinked and Matty saw that he didn’t have an answer for that, because it was true.
“Hold up there,” Matty said. “Leave my brother out of this. None of this was his doing. I take responsibility for my actions. For the record, I’m sorry for what it’s doing to Fiona. She’s the last person who deserves this. I know that.”
“Then let her go. Cut her loose. Don’t put her through the embarrassment and humiliation of a fake marriage. Once the Druids take you, your life is over. By marrying her, you are essentially ending her life as well.”
“Okay,” Max said, putting his own glass on the end table. “You don’t know these two like I do, and I think you need to not comment further. Other than being a low life bounty hunter, you’ve no stake in this race, so I recommend you stay out of it.”
“Max,” Matty held up his hand. “I think our friend here has more at stake than we both know. I mean, really, why would you care if I got what’s coming to me, well, other than your sweet-eye on my girlfriend.”
“Fiancée,” Max corrected.
“Right.” He turned back to Hawke. “I think your stake in all this is more than money. Am I right?”